Chapter 9
The Somnambulist Heroine, Ms. Midnight
[One Month later...]
The night was cool and unusually still. No breeze stirred, no cars honked; it was uncharacteristically silent. The streets, typically alive with activity even past midnight, were eerily deserted. Even Tokyo, the city that never slept, had succumbed to the quiet. Japan had come to a standstill.
The silence was largely due to the upcoming national holiday, Kenpo Kinenbi, or Constitution Memorial Day—a day celebrating the establishment of the New Age Constitution, which, for the first time, outlined the laws governing Heroes and Villains.
Yet, the stillness of the night, cloaked in shadows, created the perfect cover for covert operations, allowing criminals to move almost unhindered.
In one of Tokyo's many abandoned buildings, five men huddled together. They were clad in leather jackets adorned with peculiar pins—two had skulls, two had suns, and each wore loose jeans and black boots, their attire a stereotypical reflection of their criminal lifestyle. Each also sported a differently colored mohawk.
"That bitch Midnight! She took down an entire ring," one of the thugs grumbled.
"And it was one directly under the boss," another added with a sneer.
"The boss is pissed off, ya know," another thug said, his voice tinged with fear.
"He wants Midnight dead," a third thug added, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "Honestly, I'd like a shot at that bitch myself."
"Who wouldn't?" the first thug replied, causing the group to burst into laughter.
"Just thinking about how wild she'd be in bed gets me so fucking hard," the smoker said dreamily. "Hearing her cry and scream... Mmm~ I can already hear that painful melody."
"Is that so?"
The smoker spun around, startled. The others jumped to their feet, turning toward the voice that had suddenly pierced the darkness.
They saw a dark silhouette shrouded in shadows, slowly moving toward them. The sharp clack of heels echoed through the stillness.
"You boys have been very naughty," the figure said, her voice sultry and tinged with amusement.
"Who the fuck are you?" one of the thugs demanded loudly.
The figure chuckled as she continued to walk through the shadows. "Why don't you take a guess?"
"MIDNIGHT!" a thug screamed, finally recognizing the voice. "You dare show your face here!" he shouted, pulling out a dart. "Now DIE!"
With a roar, he hurled the dart at the figure.
But she easily sidestepped it, her movements fluid and unhurried. Without missing a beat, she kept walking, emerging from the shadows into the moonlight.
And indeed, the figure was none other than the X-Rated Hero, Midnight, clad in her fabled barely-there Hero Suit which consisted of a translucent black mesh leotard, a garter belt in the form of a harness around her slim waist, translucent mesh stockings that were connected to the harness through straps, gloves covering her hand and Kamina glasses on her eyes. Thin skin-colored pasties covered her nipples and pussy lips, giving her an almost naked look. Several pouches containing mysterious items were attached to her harness, and strapped around her thighs.
Tonight, Midnight wasn't here as the sultry, X-Rated Heroine. No, tonight she had come as the deadly, sultry, X-Rated Assassin—Ninja.
Midnight placed her right hand on her hip, striking a sensual pose. "You boys need a lesson from mommy tonight," Midnight teased with a smirk. "Don't worry, mommy will make sure you learn properly this time."
"AS IF, YOU BITCH!" one of the thugs shouted.
Midnight's smirk widened. A metallic rod suddenly appeared in her right hand, extending from a small stub into a full-length weapon. With her left hand, she beckoned them closer.
Two of the five thugs charged at her, their fists aimed to take her down in a single blow.
But Midnight effortlessly dropped into a split, dodging their punches. With a swift spin on the ground, she extended her legs and kicked both thugs away simultaneously. Using her left hand for leverage, she gracefully sprung back to her feet.
The remaining three thugs lunged at her next. Midnight deftly dodged their attacks, using her stick to parry their punches with precision.
Noticing the knuckledusters they wore, she reminded herself to stay vigilant—one hit could be dangerous.
Spinning the stick with both hands, Midnight drove one end of the rod into the face of a thug. Another thug, who had lunged at her simultaneously, met the other end of the stick to his face as well.
As if toying with them, Midnight placed her free hand on her hip and twirled the stick with the other, a smirk playing on her lips. "What happened, boys? Weren't you going to make me scream? I'm still waiting~" she teased in a sing-song voice.
Her taunt had the desired effect, angering the thugs just as she had anticipated. Men were predictable. Lust-driven men, even more so.
"You bitch! When we're done with you, you won't ever be the same again," snarled the thug who had been struck in the face.
"Arara~ How terrifying," Midnight whispered huskily, a blush creeping across her milky white skin. "Mmm~ What are you going to do to me, you vile villain~?"
"You'll fucking see!" he shouted.
The thugs charged at her again. Midnight spun her stick effortlessly, striking all five thugs across their faces. They stumbled backward, feeling the sharp crack of their noses breaking as they lost their balance.
"What are you going to do, you vile creatures?" Midnight asked, her tone suddenly shy and coy. "Are you going to force me to the ground?"
One of the thugs, now more beast than man, tried to pounce on her. But Midnight, using the reach of her stick, swiftly bonked him on the head. Blood trickled down his forehead as he fell to his knees, clutching his head in pain.
"Or maybe you'll pin me to the walls?" she moaned, her blush deepening.
Another thug attempted to rush her, but Midnight's rod met him with a brutal strike, sending blood spewing from his mouth as he crumpled to the floor. It was too easy.
"Are you going to tear off the little bit of cloth I have on myself?" Midnight teased, her purple lips curving into a playful smirk. "And have your way with me?"
One of the thugs tried to sneak up on her from behind, but Midnight swiftly ducked, causing him to crash into another. The scene was almost comical.
As she straightened up, a sly grin spread across her face. Her left hand touched her abdomen. "How about we take this up a notch, boys?" Her cheeks flushed as she bit down on the corner of her lip. The hand on her left abdomen slowly dragged down, tracing her fine abs through her mesh suit. Her hand went over her harness and stopped just an inch from her lower lips between her legs. With two fingers, she pinched the mesh suit that covered her most intimate part. "The one who beats me gets to do whatever they want with me," she purred, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "No limits—I'll take it all." She punctuated her words with a giggle.
And just like that, they took the bait.
All five thugs lunged at her simultaneously.
Midnight twirled her staff and planted one end firmly into the ground.
Raising her left hand high in the air, she struck a pose reminiscent of a Greek goddess, as if she were seeking salvation from the heavens.
The thugs closed in.
Ten seconds...
Nine seconds...
Eight...
Seven...
Six...
Five...
Four...
Three...
Two...
One...
Suddenly, thick, pinkish smoke erupted from Midnight's body, enveloping the area in a dense cloud. The smoke was so heavy that it obscured everything from view, swallowing the thugs whole and concealing them from any onlookers.
As the smoke gradually dissipated, Midnight remained in the same pose, her left hand still raised toward the sky, and her staff firmly planted in the ground.
But the thugs...
They lay scattered across the ground, all of them unconscious.
Midnight lowered her hand, her middle finger tracing slowly across her lower lip as a wild smirk spread across her face. The staff in her hand shrunk into a compact form, and she deftly slipped it into one of her many pouches.
"So damn easy," Midnight muttered with a mischievous giggle. Horny men always made the perfect prey for her tactics; they never failed to fall right into her trap.
But...
"Well... Now I'm horny," she added, her tone suddenly flat. She really needed to get a grip on her tendency to get aroused during fights—especially ones like this, where she effortlessly dominated her opponents.
Oh well... They were unconscious, and she had an entire abandoned building to herself. She could certainly find a spot to relieve her... tension.
With a satisfied sigh, she handcuffed the thugs and secured them with additional ropes, taking extra care to use quirk-suppressing cuffs. Just in case one of them had a quirk or had taken a Quirk-Enhancing drug.
After dusting off her hands, she set off to find a quiet spot, probably on the roof. The effects of her quirk should wear off in an hour, maybe two. She had unintentionally hit them with a potent dose. Hopefully, by the time they woke up, she'd have taken care of her business.
A pair of eyes slowly fluttered open, the world around them a hazy, surreal white. Blinking to adjust to the dim moonlight, the eyes focused on the scene before them.
As the blurriness faded, they found themselves staring at someone's bare, pale skin. Confusion flickered through the mind as the gaze traveled downward, widening in shock as it took in the sight of two large, voluptuous breasts hanging inches from the face. A deep blush spread across the cheeks as the realization set in.
The brain, now fully alert, processed the situation—those were indeed breasts, and they were dangerously close. Instinctively, the mind urged the body to move, to reach out and touch them, to fondle the soft flesh. But the attempt to move hands was thwarted, as they were bound tightly behind the back.
"You're awake."
The soft, feminine voice drew the eyes upward. They locked onto a beautiful, pale face adorned with triangular glasses. After a few seconds of processing, the brain recognized her—the X-Rated Hero, Ms. Midnight.
With that realization came another. The brain acknowledged that it controlled a pathetic, lowlife criminal—someone who took pleasure in beating the weak but cowered in fear when faced with a stronger opponent.
Suddenly, flashes of memory surfaced: five people fighting Midnight. As the brain processed these images, it quickly pieced together where he was and why he was bound in handcuffs, chains, and ropes.
All five of his comrades had been thoroughly defeated by the bimbo Hero, Midnight, who hadn't even broken a sweat.
"I was waiting for you to wake up," Midnight's soft voice cut through the quiet night. She straddled the criminal's waist, her thighs pinning him down, her lower lips separated from his stick by the clothes of his jeans. "Your friends woke up before you, but they couldn't provide the information I needed."
The criminal blinked, turning his head to the left. Sweat began to form on his face as he realized his comrades were in worse shape than he remembered. Had Midnight really beaten them so badly that they seemed to be drowning in their own blood?
"Hey now," Midnight whispered, using a finger to guide the criminal's face back to hers, their eyes locking intimately. A sly smile curled up her lips. "It's impolite to look away when a maiden is speaking to you."
Her voice, her words, that damn smile—it all began to unnerve the criminal. "W-What do you want?" he stuttered, fear creeping into his voice.
"Oh, it's very simple," Midnight purred, leaning in until their lips were almost an inch apart. She could feel the man's foul breath on her skin, repulsive, but she held her composure as she always did. "All you need to do is tell me about your boss," she whispered.
A shiver ran down the criminal's spine as he felt Midnight's warm breath against his skin. She was so close that he could smell her lavender perfume. The sight of her breasts hanging down like cow udders only served to increase the blood flow to his lower regions.
Midnight bit the corner of her lip, feeling the criminal's manhood harden beneath her. "Mm~ I see your body desires me," she purred, a moan escaping her lips. She leaned in even closer, her breath brushing against his ear as her breasts pressed against his chest, the fabric of his jacket the only barrier between them. "I can give you everything you've ever wanted—me, my body, all of it." Her voice dripped with honeyed promises, each word carefully chosen to seduce. "All you have to do is tell me where your boss is, and it's all yours."
"I-I don't know," the man stammered, tears welling in his eyes. "I have no idea where he is."
Midnight tilted her head slightly, her gaze piercing. "But weren't you just bragging about how angry your boss is? About how much he wants me dead?" she asked slyly.
"A-All of that...w-we just heard it from the grapevine," the criminal stuttered, his arousal now painfully obvious, pressing against the fabric of his pants, dangerously close to Midnight's body. "W-We haven't seen the boss in almost a month."
"Hmm~ Is that so," Midnight murmured, her voice laced with disappointment.
"P-Please, M-Midnight... I-I told you everything I know. Please," the criminal begged, tears streaming down his face.
Midnight's lips curled into a superior smirk. "Please what, vermin?"
Her icy tone made the criminal flinch. "P-Please g-give me my r-reward," he pleaded, his voice trembling.
"Hm~ Say it properly," Midnight taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. "Say, 'Please, Mistress Midnight~ Give me my release~.'"
"P-Please! M-Mistress M-Midnight! I-I beg you, give me my re-release," the criminal cried out, desperation thick in his voice.
"Of course," Midnight responded, a furious blush coloring her cheeks. "Your dear Mistress will surely give you your release~"
Without warning, she drove her elbow into the criminal's face, shattering his nose. Blood splattered onto the floor.
"Here's your release," Midnight's voice turned cold and menacing. Her eyes narrowed as she grabbed the criminal by the face, her palm pressing against his skin. The criminal peeked through the gaps in her fingers, only to find no mercy in her gaze. "Your release is delivered." With those words, she unleashed a potent dose of her quirk directly into the man's face.
The full force of her quirk knocked him unconscious immediately. Midnight stood up, rising from her position straddling the criminal's waist. She dialed a number on her phone, informing the police of her location. They would deal with these bastards. She had more important things to attend to.
In an unknown place...
Izuku's eyes darted across the pitch-black void surrounding him, his confusion etched deeply on his face. He scanned the darkness, desperately trying to discern his location, but his mind drew a complete blank. The usual whirring of thoughts and analyses that occupied his brain was conspicuously absent, leaving him in an unsettling silence.
Suddenly, a faint glow caught his attention straight ahead, just a few yards away. How had he missed it before? The light seemed to materialize out of nowhere, piercing the inky blackness. His feet began to move on their own, drawn toward the luminescence as if guided by an unseen force. Each step echoed eerily in the vast emptiness, the sound resonating in his ears as he closed the distance between himself and the light.
As he approached, Izuku noticed that the light descended from an unseen source high above, its origin obscured by the dense darkness that clung heavily to the void. His eyebrows knitted together in bewilderment as he spotted a figure standing directly under the beam of light. The presence of this unknown person spurred him on, and he quickened his pace until he stood mere meters away, his eyes fixed on the stranger's back. The air was thick with tension, and Izuku could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he waited for the figure to turn around.
The figure before him was clearly a child, much younger than Izuku, standing with a slight hunch and facing away. Izuku's unease grew as he noted the uniquely vivid shade of green hair that cascaded down the child's head. His eyes traveled downward, and he swallowed hard, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead. The child was standing in a pool of crimson liquid—undeniably blood. The sheer volume of it spilled across the floor sent a chill down Izuku's spine.
His shallow breaths grew more audible, echoing in his ears. A sense of dread washed over him, as he asked, "Who are you?" His voice trembling with nerves.
The child seemed to register his question, slowly straightening up. With a deliberate turn to the left, the child's face came into view.
Izuku stumbled backward, shock and horror etched on his face as he stared at a visage that was unmistakably his own. The emerald eye, the mirror image of his own, gazed back at him with a haunting intensity. A cruel smirk stretched across the doppelganger's face.
"I am you."
[One day after Kenpo Kinenbi...]
Izuku's eyes fluttered open, his eyes constricting a bit due to the abrupt invasion of harsh, unfiltered light. Once his pupils adjusted to the brightness, he looked up and found himself staring directly at the intense, artificial brilliance of an overhead light. His gaze shifted from side to side, taking in the sterile white ceiling of the room.
Suddenly, a figure loomed into his field of vision, a head hovering above him, eyes peering down with a mix of curiosity and professional detachment. The figure wore a white cap and a face mask, obscuring most of their face. Only the eyes remained visible, sharp and inquisitive. Izuku recognized them immediately, recalling the many times he had seen that gaze before.
"Uh, you're awake, little Midoriya," the person commented, their voice gruff and undeniably male.
"Doctor," Izuku acknowledged weakly, his own voice tinged with a weariness that seemed to weigh heavily on him. "Is it done?"
"Yes," the doctor confirmed, pulling down his mask to reveal a calm, reassuring smile. "We have taken your blood samples for further testing."
Izuku nodded in understanding. It had become a recurring event in his life since he joined the HPSC. The President insisted on being meticulously informed about his health, ensuring he was tested by the HPSC's top medical professionals. "Can I go now?" he asked, hoping for a straightforward answer.
"You can," the doctor replied, but Izuku could sense the unspoken caveat lingering in the air. "But someone is here to meet you." The doctor gestured over his shoulder with a quick thumb-jerk.
Izuku turned his head, following the doctor's indication, and unsurprisingly, it was the President waiting for him. She sat regally in a chair, dressed in her customary suit and office skirt. Her left leg was elegantly crossed over the other, hands resting gracefully on her left knee. Her back was straight, and her head held high, radiating an aura of confidence and authority. Her eyes locked onto Izuku's, staring deeply as if peering into the very depths of his soul.
Izuku's eyes drifted back towards the doctor, who was meticulously detaching all the IV needles from the crook of his hands, gently dabbing the spots with alcohol-soaked cotton.
"There you go," the doctor said with a soft finality as he finished up.
Izuku silently pushed himself up into a sitting position before hopping off the bed to face the President. His posture was straight and unwavering, exuding a natural confidence.
The doctor gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and quietly exited the room.
Izuku stood motionless, his gaze locked firmly with the President's. He didn't utter a word, engaging instead in a silent battle of wits—an unblinking stare-down. His eyes, as they always did, analyzed the President's quirk. They provided him with the same information as before: her hair glowed, the only visible indication of her quirk. But he couldn't help but wonder, what if she was employing another quirk to deceive him and his Six Eyes? What if the glow was a mere facade, masking her true abilities?
"What is going on, Izuku?"
The question made Izuku flinch internally, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I don't understand," he said in confusion.
"You were trained by me to track criminals," the President said, icily. "I know what you're capable of, Izuku. And I tried to give you time, for you to unwind when necessary. Yet, here we are with no results. You started strong on your first few missions, and now, suddenly, you have no leads? No clue where their leader is, even after a month?"
Izuku's eyes darted around nervously. "I... I am trying," he stammered. "But it's really hard to get information when all his gang members have gone into hiding. The few who are still out there don't know where he is."
The President scrutinized him with narrowed eyes, her chin resting on her interlaced fingers, elbows propped on the desk. She looked menacing. "And yet, my informants have managed to find out his location, Izuku. So tell me, what's taking you so long?"
"You know where he is?" Izuku's eyes widened in surprise. "Then just tell me, and I can go get him."
The President stared at him for what felt like an eternity, her expression unreadable. Finally, she closed her eyes and sighed. "Izuku, this is a lesson you need to learn. As a Hero, there will be many times when you're asked to find a villain's whereabouts. The police and detectives, skilled as they are, can only do so much. There will be moments when no one is there to hand you information on a silver platter. You have to go out and find the criminals yourself."
Izuku mentally cursed. If only the President would go easy on him and just tell him where the Boss was, he could capture him right away. But no, she always had to be tough and preachy.
"Also," the President continued, not missing a beat, "I've noticed you've been letting the police capture the smaller thugs alive. What happened to the ruthless Izuku I had trained?"
"I... I just think it's unnecessary to kill them, that's all," Izuku replied, shaking his head.
"Unnecessary, huh?" the President muttered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do I need to remind you what happened the last time you let someone live, Izuku?"
Izuku's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He could almost draw blood from the tension. This was her go-to tactic whenever she felt he was slacking, always bringing up that painful memory. "I remember," Izuku grumbled, struggling to keep his anger in check.
"Good. I'd hate to think you'd forgotten and needed a reminder," the President said coldly. She leaned back, her eyes narrowing. "And this recent... trend of yours, this so-called slacking off... It wouldn't have anything to do with... distractions, would it, Izuku?" Her voice was sly yet stern, laced with an unspoken accusation.
Izuku's jaw clenched. Did the President already know about his interaction with Midnight beyond their first conversation? Who was he kidding? Of course, she knew. "No, of course not," Izuku lied through gritted teeth.
The President stretched out a slender, manicured finger, beckoning Izuku to approach. He complied without hesitation, stopping just within arm's reach. She placed a delicate finger under his chin, her expression unreadable. "You wouldn't dare betray me, would you, dear Izuku?" she inquired, her voice laced with an undercurrent he couldn't quite decipher.
Izuku's jaw tightened, his mind racing. He couldn't discern her thoughts, and it left him deeply unsettled. "...No," he replied after a brief pause, aware that his momentary hesitation had not escaped her keen observation.
The President slowly ran her tongue over her lips, then pulled Izuku into a warm, enveloping embrace. His face pressed firmly against the softness of her chest. "Remember, Izuku," she whispered into his ear, her voice a dreamy murmur. "Always listen to me. I can give you anything you desire. Anything you want can be yours. No one else in this world can offer you what I can. Always remember that."
Izuku stayed silent and still, held tightly by the President, his head nestled between her ample breasts. After a few lingering seconds, she finally released him from her grasp. She closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "Good. Then go. Find the criminal, and do it quickly."
Izuku nodded and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, the President's voice stopped him.
"Izuku."
He paused, turning his head slightly to glance back at her from the corner of his eye.
"Don't make any mistakes that we'll both regret," the President said. She wasn't looking at him anymore; her gaze was fixed outside the large window behind her desk.
"Of course," Izuku said quietly before stepping out of the office.
Izuku was sitting on the railing of one of the tall buildings in Tokyo. It was nearly midnight and the city like usual was awake even at this hour.
Izuku was back in his vigilante outfit, which included his black armor with red highlights and a black mask that covered his hair, eyes and nose. He had designed this armor as an inspiration from the Daredevil character from the Marvel Comics of ages old. He had similar costumes designed for himself inspired from many other comic book characters.
Izuku's ears twitched when they caught the sudden sound of the door to the roof open followed by heels clicking against concrete. The sound drew nearer and nearer. "The city looks beautiful from down here," he said softly, as the sound of heels stopped beside him.
Izuku glanced to his left and like when he had his eyes covered, all he saw was a form of thermal energy shaped in the form of human. It wasn't exactly thermal energy. Izuku had no way to really explain what he exactly saw but his mind could always know the meaning behind this image. For example, right now his mind was telling him that this person's quirk was spread throughout their skin and that this person was a female. His brain gave him even more information but he decided to just ignore them for now.
"But those who have really traveled those streets know what kind of cruelty really goes on in there," Izuku continued, his voice soft and barely above a whisper.
The female figure leaned up against the railing with her elbows. "There is a reason they say that a true Hero isn't one who can fly but one who can walk," she said, her voice undoubtedly belonged to Ms. Midnight herself.
"True, true," Izuku muttered with a soft chuckle.
"So, why did you call me to meet you?" Midnight asked curiously.
"Oh. It was about the gang," Izuku said.
Midnight looked at the Vigilante and quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? What about them?"
"Uh... I... Um... I think we should give up," Izuku finally said after some hesitation.
Midnight's eyes narrowed dangerously at Izuku. "What do you mean?" She asked, looking for an explanation.
Izuku looked down at the road below the building, unable to face Midnight. "I... I just think it is impossible. They have been gone for a month without a trace. Let's face it, Midnight. They must have gone into hiding or worse left the country all together. You and every Hero out there are just wasting your time."
Midnight pushed herself up and gripped the steel railing with her hands tightly. "Izuku. I don't know what kind of Hero you think I am, but I cannot let this go. I will not let this go. Especially when this drug can potentially ruin lives of so many people."
"I know. I understand you feel bound by duty and your Heroic heart but Midnight, there are other Heroes who are also involved in this, aren't they? Like Eraser Head? I am quite sure they can handle this. So, just let them handle it, okay?" Izuku tried to reason with the X-Rated Hero, but his attempt failed.
Midnight frowned at his words. "That is a very sexist thing to say, boy."
Izuku winced at her accusatory tone. But he needed to convince her. He had to. "I don't even know what that sex...or whatever that word is, but come on. There are other Heroes who can handle it. Just go back to...to do whatever you did before. Kick asses of robbers and...and what not. Right?"
A disappointed frown appeared on Midnight's face. "Izuku. What is wrong with you? Why are saying things like that?" She asked, feeling angry at Izuku's words.
"N-Nothing. Nothing is wrong w-with me. I-I am just being real here," Izuku stammered trying to find a good reason.
Midnight's frown deepened. "Yeah. That does not sound very real to me," she said, her lips pursing. "Izuku, is everything all right?"
Izuku's fists clenched tightly and he gritted his teeth. He wondered if he should just tell her about his reasons. Finally unable to keep his worry within himself, he decided to reveal them to her. "I-I am just... I don't feel good about this, okay? They have disappeared for a month and no one knows where the Boss went. I can't help but feel that something is very wrong here. I feel like they are planning something and... And I don't feel good about this."
Midnight's facial features softened as she looked at the 10-year-old boy staring at the floor of the roof. She released a sigh. It was understandable he was worried. He was a kid under all that bravado after all. "Izuku. Thank you for worrying about me, but the day I became a Hero, I signed up for all these things. I can't go back on my word. I can't just let those criminals go. I can't leave my duty as a Hero."
Izuku scratched his head through the mask that was covering it. "I guess there is really no stopping you, huh? Well, at least I can say that I tried."
Midnight chuckled lowly. "Anyways, I have to go. My duty's starting in half an hour," she said, turning around to leave.
"I guess. Bye," Izuku said, using his left hand wave goodbye.
"Now. Be a good kid and keep yourself out of trouble," Midnight said before giving Izuku a two-finger flying kiss and left the roof, leaving Izuku alone in his worries.
As soon as Midnight left, Izuku began to freak out. He put his head in his hands. "Okay. Let's calm down first Izuku," he said to himself. "Everything's going to be alright. She is a Hero. A good and strong Hero. She will be able to take care of herself. Right? Right? O-Of course. Of course, she is going to. Who am I kidding? She is going to kick their asses and is going to bring them justice. Everything is going to be alright."
But who was he kidding? No matter how much he tried to reassure himself, his worries never subsided. They only increased further.
But why was he so worried about Midnight? He had met her like a month ago. He had already helped her catch some low-level criminals by giving her their locations. Not much big help but he hoped to pay her back someday for saving him. Then, why? Why was he worried for someone he barely knew?
"Behind all that bravado and stoicism, all I saw was a child reaching for help. A child lost in darkness, trying to claw their way out. And... I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't try to stop you from going further into this darkness. Before you lose yourself. Before you do something you'll regret."
Midnight's words rung through his ears. Who was he lying to? Midnight was the first person to show him genuine care after his mother. She was the reason he was alive today. She was the one who had helped him realize that there was light at the end of this dark tunnel, given him confidence in himself.
A determined look appeared on Izuku's face. He was going to hunt for the Boss. "If I get to the Boss before Midnight, then I can take care of him and also make sure that nothing bad happens to Midnight. Yeah! That is exactly what I am gonna do."
Midnight strolled through the evening streets of Tokyo, her luxurious ankle-length pink fur coat enveloping her in opulent warmth. The coat's plush exterior featured a chevron pattern, its alternating fur direction adding subtle texture and depth. A voluminous white fur collar framed her neck, softening her features and lending her an air of glamorous sophistication. The generous hood, also lined with pristine white fur, draped elegantly around her head.
The coat's full, sumptuous sleeves ended in wide cuffs of the same snowy white fur. With every step, the coat seemed to come alive, rippling and catching the light in a way that emphasized its rich texture. Despite its bulk, the coat's tailored fit accentuated her figure, cinching slightly at the waist before flaring out over her hips.
This showstopping piece exuded both comfort and extravagance—a perfect blend of fashion and function for braving the coldest winter days in unparalleled style.
Midnight walked past several people, her hands tucked in her pockets. She decided to stop at Herobucks for a cup of coffee. Herobucks was a coffee company founded by Coffee-Man fifty years ago, inspired by a now-defunct 21st-century coffee chain that went bankrupt after a global boycott due to its support of genociders. However, Herobucks' motto was "For the Good and the Better," positioning itself as a superior successor to its predecessor.
Midnight wasn't one to waste money on such frivolous, pretentious brands. She preferred to support small, local cafés. Unfortunately, a contract with Herobucks required her to buy all her coffee from their stores while on duty. Oh well, she thought, she rarely bought coffee during duty anyway. She used the money from such brand deals to fund smaller shops and stores, buying their products when she was off duty and funding them through anonymous investments.
Spotting a Herobucks store along her path, Midnight entered and approached the counter. The receptionist, recognizing her immediately, smiled and swiftly instructed a colleague to prepare a "Midnight Special." Like all heroes with Herobucks contracts, she had a special blend tailored to her preferred flavors. In just two minutes, they handed her the coffee, and she accepted it with a smile, made the necessary payment, and left the store.
Once outside, Midnight took a sip from her coffee mug and released a satisfied sigh. Warm coffee on such a cold night was a true delight to her soul.
"Ms. Midnight! Ms. Midnight!" Two distinct voices called out to the X-Rated Heroine.
Midnight lowered her mug and followed the sound of the voices, her gaze settling on two teenage boys as they ran up to her. They appeared to be around 16 or 17 years old, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Well~ Hello there, boys," Midnight greeted with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "How can I help you tonight?"
The two teens stopped before her, panting for breath. One of them regained his composure faster, standing up straighter as he asked, "C-Can w-we get an a-autograph?" His voice trembled slightly, and Midnight's smile grew wider.
"Of course, sweeties," she replied, her tone dripping with sweetness. She had always been fond of young men who became flustered in her presence, their youthful energy dissipating as they struggled to maintain their composure. It was a subtle power play, one that Midnight savored.
As the two boys blushed and shyly held out their white hard pages for her to sign, Midnight's eyes gleamed with mischief. She took the cardboards one by one, signing her signature with a flourish of her marker pen.
"Will we get to see you fight tonight, Ms. Midnight?" one of the boys asked politely, his eyes shining with hope.
Midnight's smirk was sly, her voice husky as she replied, "Oh~ You want to see dear ol' me?" She knew exactly why they wanted to see her fight – it was the only time they could openly gaze at her body without the restriction of her fur coat. The thought sent a thrill through her, and she reveled in the knowledge that so many people desired her.
Her statement had the desired effect on the two teens. One of them seemed to short-circuit, his eyes glazing over, while the other's face turned a deep shade of red. "W-W-W-W-W-We-"
Midnight's laughter was a throaty purr, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Fufufu~ Don't worry, I am just teasing you guys. And who knows, if your luck is good, you might just see...me." Her sentence ended with unmistakable innuendo, and she emphasized her point with a suggestive eye wink as she handed them their signed cardboards.
As the two boys beat a hasty retreat, Midnight watched them leave, waving goodbye. Just as she was about to turn around and resume her patrol, something caught her eye.
On the other end of the road, Midnight's gaze settled on an alley, where a woman stood, her eyes fixed intently on Midnight. Something about the woman's demeanor sent a warning signal to the X-Rated Hero, a sense that this was not a chance encounter. The woman's attire was casual, yet practical - baggy cargo pants and a black sleeveless top, her head covered by a black cap, and a lollipop dangling from her lips.
After a few seconds of locked gazes, the woman turned and disappeared into the alley. Midnight's eyes narrowed, her instincts screaming that this was a trap. She knew she should wait for backup, but the risk of alerting the potential villains in the alley was too great. Instead, she decided to confront them, to keep them distracted until help arrived.
Midnight swiftly crossed the road, her hand slipping into her coat to access a small cell in her harness. She pressed the blue button, a silent signal for backup, her hand reemerging empty. With cautious steps, she entered the alley, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
As she turned a corner, she spotted the woman from before, standing at the dead end of the alley. Midnight's smirk was a thin, mirthless line. "So~ Is this some new strategy of yours to beat us heroes?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
The woman's response was a drawl, her tone laced with contempt. "I thought you wouldn't be foolish enough to come into the alley without backup, slut." She pushed herself to stand straighter, spinning her cap to wear it backwards, before spitting out the lollipop. "I guess you really are the dumb bimbo they call you. I didn't even need to bring a whole gang to capture you."
Midnight's eyes widened, but only for an instant, as around ten men emerged from the shadows, all wearing gas masks. They surrounded her from all sides. The woman followed suit, donning her own mask. Midnight's smirk never wavered, but her eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications.
"My, my~ So many men to beat a helpless old me~" Midnight teased, her voice husky, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "If I didn't know any better, I'd assume this was a kinky interview for a 10v1 gangbang scene~ Mmm~ Now, that's something I can enjoy~" Midnight's voice was a sensual purr, her words dripping with sexual innuendo, as if the situation was arousing her.
The woman shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off her frame. "Whatever brings you in," she said, her tone as casual as a summer breeze, as she picked up a metal rod that had been leaning against her right leg.
Midnight's laughter was a husky purr, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "Fufufu~ I am going to enjoy this very much," she purred, as she rolled her neck, the sound of her vertebrae cracking in satisfaction. With a slow, sensual motion, she pulled open her fur coat, letting it drop to the ground, pooling around her feet like a dark, luxurious cloud.
Now, in her Hero suit, Midnight pulled out a pair of sais, holding them in a reverse grip in her hand. She took a combat position, her body coiled and ready to strike. "Come then, boys," she beckoned, her voice husky and inviting, her smirk a thin, wicked line. "Show me a very good time," she taunted, as the men charged at her.
As Midnight clashed with the group of criminals intent on capturing her, Izuku found himself in a nearby alley, taking down a separate set of thugs with his signature flair. With a swift knee-slide, he dodged the outstretched legs of one attacker and seized him by the belt, flipping him over his shoulder before slamming his head into the concrete floor with a resounding crack.
Another assailant charged forward, but Izuku evaded his clumsy blows with ease, his movements a testament to his honed reflexes. With a swift grab, he caught the man's wrist and hurled him into a nearby pile of garbage, the impact sending trash cans clattering to the ground. The man groaned, his lips and forehead bleeding profusely as he struggled to rise.
Izuku's gaze narrowed, and with a swift kick, he sent a trash can lid flying towards the man's head. The metal cover crashed against his skull, rendering him unconscious.
As the man slumped to the ground, Izuku's eyes lingered on his defeated form, a flicker of conflict crossing his face. For the first time, he felt a pang of doubt about his actions. He had promised Nemuri he'd steer clear of violence, but his motivations had shifted. He was no longer fighting for personal reasons; he was driven by a sense of duty to protect Nemuri Kayama from harm.
With renewed determination, Izuku turned his attention to the other man in the alley, who was desperately trying to crawl to safety. Izuku stalked towards him, his movements eerily silent, like a predator closing in on its prey. Few would suspect that the 10-year-old before them was capable of such ruthlessness, but Izuku's upbringing had hardened him to the harsh realities of the world.
As he loomed over the cowering man, Izuku grasped his hair, yanking him up to face him. His mask automatically modulated his voice, rendering it robotic and menacing. "Where is he?" he demanded, his words dripping with an air of authority.
The man's eyes darted wildly, his voice trembling as he replied, "Who the fuck are you talking about?"
Izuku's grip on the man's hair tightened. "Where is the one supplying you with the Quirk-Enhancing drugs?" he repeated, his tone unyielding.
The man's response was cut short as he stammered, "I don't know. I—"
Before he could finish, Izuku hurled him into the nearby wall with a brutal force, the impact sickening as the man's back cracked audibly. Izuku's mechanical voice took on a haunting quality as he spoke, "I'm tired of hearing the same answer. Over and over and over again."
He strode over to the crumpled form, his boot-covered foot coming to rest on the back of the man's head. "You have a choice: answer me and live, or refuse and die. Your decision." Izuku's voice was low and menacing as he repeated, "Where. Is. He?"
The man's pleas were cut short once more as Izuku applied pressure to his head, eliciting a blood-curdling scream. However, the impending torture was interrupted by the ringing of the man's phone. Izuku lifted his foot, his gaze flicking to the device.
"Pick it up," he urged, his voice low and menacing, as he nudged the man's head with his foot.
The man fumbled for his phone, answering it with a shaky "H-Hello."
Izuku's voice dropped to a whisper, "Put it on speaker."
The man complied, his hands trembling as he activated the speaker phone.
A voice on the other end of the line chimed in, "Hey man! What you doing?"
Izuku nudged the man's head again, his foot applying gentle pressure. "U-Uh. I am here j-just roaming around. Why?" the man stammered, his voice trembling beneath Izuku's foot.
The voice on the phone replied, "The Boss called. He asked us to gather in the abandoned building on 54th Street." Izuku's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing at the mention of the location.
"W-Why?" the man asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The voice on the phone responded, "Why? He said that his best men are bringing in some tough bitch. Says that once he is done with her, we can get to do whatever we want with her."
A chill ran down Izuku's spine as he processed the words. No, it couldn't be. It had to be someone else. He couldn't bear the thought of Nemuri being in danger.
Izuku's mind racing, he swiftly kicked the phone out of the fallen man's hand, crushing it beneath his boot. With a swift kick, he sent the man flying into the same wall he had crashed into earlier, rendering him unconscious.
Removing his mask, Izuku looked around and found a dirty shawl lying on the ground. Finding no other options, he threw it on to cover his armor from naked eyes and sprinted out of the alley, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he made his way towards the last location he had seen Midnight. Time was of the essence. As he ran, he overheard two teenage boys discussing about an autograph from Midnight. Izuku's pace faltered, and he approached them.
"Where did you last see Midnight?" he asked, his voice laced with urgency.
One of the boys raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you a little too young to want to meet Ms. Midnight?"
Izuku's patience wore thin, "Just tell me, goddammit!"
The boy held up his hands in a calming gesture, "Alright, alright. Chill. She was near the Herobucks a block away."
Izuku thanked him hastily before rushing off, his feet pounding the pavement as he hastened towards the Herobucks.
The boys watched Izuku disappear into the distance, exchanging a bewildered glance. "Huh? Who knew kids these days were so advanced?" one of them remarked, shaking his head before refocusing on their conversation.
Izuku arrived at the Herobucks within five minutes, his eyes scanning the area frantically for any sign of Midnight. "Where are you? Where are you?" he muttered to himself, as if repeating the question would conjure her into existence.
His gaze swept the surrounding area, and his attention landed on a nearby alley. A sense of foreboding settled in the pit of his stomach. Cautiously, he crossed the road and entered the alley, his senses on high alert. He didn't bother to don his cowl, as he didn't detect any presence within the alley. However, as he ventured deeper, he was forced to turn a corner, only to find himself at a dead end.
But it wasn't the dead end that sparked Izuku's distress. It was the sight of Midnight's pink fur coat and two sais lying abandoned on the ground. He could see ten men lying unconscious on the ground, blood spewing from various places. Beside them also lay broken gas masks, a sight that made his heart sink, and his eyes widen in horror.
Izuku rushed to the discarded equipment, his knees buckling as he knelt beside it. Fresh blood stained the ground, and his face drained of all color. "No, no, no, no," he whispered, his voice trembling.
He gingerly picked up the coat and sais, his hands shaking as he rose to his feet. "No. God no. Please no. Let her be alright!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking with desperation. With the equipment clutched in his hands, Izuku sprinted towards 54th Street, his heart racing with every step.
Midnight stood rigid, her gaze locked onto the mountain of a man seated before her, presuming him to be the gang's leader. Her face was set in a stern, unyielding expression, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits as she assessed him. To her right, the woman who had attempted to capture her lay crumpled on the ground, blood streaming from her nose and lips, her body a canvas of bruises and pain.
"So, we finally meet, scumbag," Midnight hissed, her voice a low growl devoid of its usual seductive purr. This time, her tone held the raw, savage edge of a predator facing off against its mortal enemy.
The leader looked at her with an unreadable expression, his voice flat and emotionless. "Ms. Midnight," he acknowledged. "I guess I underestimated you. Or perhaps I overestimated her." He gestured toward the broken figure at Midnight's feet.
Midnight's gaze shifted to the nude woman sitting on the leader's lap, her body boldly displaying a multitude of tattoos—each one adorned with the most demeaning words imaginable for a woman. Yet, the woman wore them with a defiant air, as if she reveled in her own degradation. "What's the deal with her?" Midnight asked, her voice dripping with contempt.
"Oh, Maya?" The leader asked, his hands roaming over her tattooed flesh, squeezing her breasts and eliciting a low, desperate moan from the woman. "Don't mind her, she's just my fuck toy." His eyes gleamed with a twisted, lust-filled light. "And that's what I plan to make you after tonight."
Midnight offered a derisive smirk, her hand resting casually on her hip, striking a pose that was both alluring and defiant. "Bold of you to think you can take me down," she taunted, her voice dripping with challenge. "You're not the first to say that, and you won't be the last."
The leader motioned for Maya to rise, then stood up himself, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. He advanced on Midnight, his towering frame standing over her as he tilted his head down to meet her gaze. An amused chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Isn't that nice? Do you have any idea what I want to do to you, Midnight?"
"No, I don't care to know," Midnight retorted, her usual playfulness replaced by a cold determination. Normally, she reveled in toying with her enemies, but tonight, she just wanted to crush this scumbag and send him straight to the depths of Tartarus.
The leader let out a hearty, amused laugh, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "Oh well, I heard from my boys that you love playing games with them. Thought you could extend the same courtesy to me."
Midnight's lips curled into a smirk as she purred, "Those little teases are reserved for good boys, darling. Not for bad boys like you."
The leader's chuckle turned into a taunt, his voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, what do bad boys like me deserve, mommy Midnight~?"
Midnight raised a finger, her eyes narrowing as she smirked. "A severe punishment~"
Suddenly, a torrent of her quirk burst from her fingertip, spraying out like water from a high-pressure hose, aimed directly at the leader's face. The leader stumbled back, his expression a mix of confusion and alarm as he scrambled to avoid inhaling the gas. How the hell did she manage that?
"Oh, you dodged that," Midnight pouted, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought you were eager for your punishment."
"Heh," the leader scoffed, though a hint of unease flickered in his eyes. "You almost got me there, woman," he admitted, trying to mask his growing concern. Truth be told, he hadn't anticipated her still being conscious, let alone prepared for her to strike first. He had foolishly underestimated her, leaving his gas mask—his only protection against her quirk—unstowed.
Midnight watched him, a smug smile playing on her lips. She had caught him off guard, and she reveled in the small victory. Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous gleam, her stance shifting subtly as she prepared for her next move. The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, the atmosphere growing heavier with each passing second.
The leader took a moment to steady himself, his gaze never leaving Midnight. He had misjudged her, a mistake he wouldn't make again. His mind raced, calculating his next move, weighing his options. He knew he had to act fast, to regain the upper hand before she struck again. The game had changed, and he was now playing catch-up. But he wasn't about to let her win that easily.
"You know," Midnight began softly, her voice laced with a quiet venom as she rummaged through one of her pouches. "I really, really hate guys like you." She continued, extending her right hand, from which a sleek metal rod materialized, seemingly out of thin air. "I hate how people like you bring nothing but suffering to the weak, yet you're the ones who go on enjoying life while the people you've hurt are left to carry their scars forever."
Her gaze hardened, her voice growing more intense. "You keep living it up, continuing to bully and ruin people without a second thought. But when those you've hurt try to seek revenge, society tells them to turn the other cheek, to forgive. Why? Why should they forgive? Why should they give scum like you a second chance when you deserve none? Why should they always be the ones to keep their heads down while you keep yours up, not giving a fuck about anyone?"
The leader's brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze shifting between Midnight's face and the metal rod in her hand. "What the hell are you talking about, woman?" he demanded, struggling to make sense of her monologue.
"You just remind me of someone from my pathetic past," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, a distant look in her eyes. "Sometimes, I wish I could end people like you, but unfortunately, that's not an option for me. Not as a hero."
The leader burst into laughter once more, his mocking gaze sweeping over her. "So, that's it? You're just sulking because you can't kill me?"
Midnight offered a small smirk, her eyes sparkling with a dangerous glint. "Kind of," she admitted, her voice low and dangerous. "But there's nothing stopping me from beating you black and blue, is there?" She shifted her stance, her body tensing in preparation for the fight.
"Let's see you try!" the leader challenged, his voice turning into a growl as he readied himself, his hands curling into fists. The air around them felt charged with violence, the tension palpable as the two adversaries stared each other down.
The leader made the first move, lunging at Midnight with unexpected speed, his fist cocked back, ready to deliver a powerful punch. However, Midnight was no stranger to combat. She smoothly sidestepped the attack, pivoting with the grace of a dancer to face her massive opponent. The leader whirled around, undeterred, and threw another punch, his movements swift and precise.
Midnight expertly deflected the punch with her metallic staff, spinning it deftly in her hand. She began to anticipate his attacks, studying his form and attack pattern. It was clear the leader favored raw, brute force, relying heavily on his fists. But Midnight was a seasoned fighter, her reactions honed to perfection over years of training and combat.
Just as she thought she had his pattern figured out, the leader changed tactics. Instead of another punch, he spun around and launched a kick aimed straight at Midnight's head. But Midnight was ready. With the agility of a nimble cat, she twisted her body backwards, narrowly avoiding the kick. Gripping her rod with both hands, she swung it with all her might, aiming for her opponent's stomach.
The impact seemed solid, the leader's body folding slightly from the force. But her satisfaction was short-lived. The leader straightened, a wild smirk spreading across his face. "That was a weak shot, heroine," he taunted, his eyes gleaming with amusement and challenge.
"Think again," Midnight taunted, her lips curling into a smirk. In an instant, electric charges surged through her staff, and a heartbeat later, the leader was jolted by a 300 volts of electricity.
The leader howled in agony, his body convulsing as the electricity tore through him. Midnight, confident she had done enough damage, pulled back her staff and raised it high, then brought it crashing down onto the leader's skull, sending his head smashing into the cold, unforgiving concrete floor.
Not wanting to give him a moment to recover, Midnight aimed to slam one end of her staff into the leader's temple, intending to knock him out cold. However, the leader proved more resilient than she'd anticipated. With a swift twist, he spun out of the way and leapt back to his feet, his face contorted with fury. "HAA!" he roared, his fist slicing through the air as he lunged at Midnight with renewed ferocity.
Midnight swiftly dove back, narrowly dodging the leader's punch. Her heart pounded in her chest as his fist slammed into the concrete floor, creating a small crater that sent dust and debris flying. 'He's strong,' she thought, her mind racing. 'I need to be careful not to take a hit from those fists.' The X-Rated Heroine took a few quick steps back, creating much-needed distance between herself and her formidable opponent. It was time to bring out her heavy artillery.
The leader chuckled, a sadistic gleam in his eyes. "It's fun, you know," he mocked, his voice a twisted blend of amusement and cruelty. "Especially when a slut like you makes it difficult. Breaking your will is so much more enjoyable."
Midnight began to circle him, her movements fluid and deliberate. As she walked, a faint pinkish smoke started to rise from her skin, wafting through the air like a mist. It trailed behind her, giving her the appearance of a spectral figure, particularly as it seeped from her back. She was lacing the room with her intoxicating aroma, a tactic designed to slow her opponent's movements. The smoke curled and eddied, filling the space with a heady, sensuous scent that was bound to weaken the leader's defenses.
The leader fished a handkerchief from his back pocket and swiftly tied it around his nose, creating a makeshift mask to block Midnight's aroma. He knew he had to act fast before the smoke rendered him helpless.
"That's not going to protect you for long," Midnight whispered, her voice as soft and deadly as a moonlit night.
"It just needs to work long enough for me to subdue you," the leader retorted, adjusting the handkerchief one last time. Without another word, he broke the circular dance and lunged at Midnight, ready to end this fight.
But suddenly, a shadow darted from the leader's left and Midnight's right. A powerful kick connected with the leader's face, sending him careening across the room. Time seemed to slow as Midnight's gaze locked onto the small figure who now hovered in the air, their black armor gleaming in the moonlight. Time snapped back to normal as the figure landed gracefully and turned to face her.
"You're alright!" the newcomer exclaimed, his voice no longer the robotic monotone she expected, but a breathless, child-like tone. He was panting heavily, a clear sign that he had rushed to her aid at top speed.
Midnight asked, her voice laced with incredulity as she stared at the sudden intruder. "What the hell are you doing here, Izu-Night Crawler?"
Chapter End
Next Chapter: The finale is here...